Abstract
Objective
It is well known that emotional stress can trigger cardiovascular events. Although several studies have confirmed this relationship during big sport events, the underlying mechanisms are less well understood. Therefore, we aimed to analyse parameters of the cardiac autonomous nervous system during FIFA World Cup 2018.
Methods
We performed a high-resolution digital electrocardiography (ECG) in healthy supporters of the German national football team watching the final group stage match of FIFA World Cup 2018 between Germany and South Korea. As control, ECG recordings were performed watching a group stage match of another group without involvement of the German team (Japan against Poland). We analysed standard parameters of heart rate variability (HRV). Further, we analyzed the number of admissions to Chest Pain Units (CPUs) and Stroke Units (SUs) in Munich at the day of the German match (June 27th, 2018) and at predefined control periods.
Results
All measured HRV parameters (SDNN, RMSSD, LF and HF) were significantly lower during the match involving the German national football team compared to the control match (SDNN: 76.7 (67.4–83.9) versus 82.9 (72.5–96.5) ms, p<0.05; RMSSD: 32.0 (27.7–33.3) versus 41.3 (31.4–49.19 ms, p<0.05; LF: 1442 (1182–1637) versus 2000 (1563–2238) ms2, p<0.05; HF: 206 (158–259) versus 376 (242–417), p<0.05). Regarding the LF/HF ratio, there was no significant difference. The admission rate on CPUs and SUs was numerically higher at the day of the German match compared to the control days and compared to the predefined control period (40.8% higher).
Conclusion
Emotional stress during important football matches results in a dysbalance of the cardiac autonomous nerve system. These findings might provide a link to increased cardiovascular events during emotional stress.
